Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1887-09-06
ROGER LAR0QUE.
Adapted and Translated from the French
Of Jules Mary.
BY OLIVE HARPER.

By OLIVE dAhEE6.
copyrighted by the American Press Association
At the corner Of the alley Of Montalais,
which descends to the lake, and at two steps
from the woods of the Vile d'Avray, some
fifteen years ago, behind its clematis vines
and other climbing plants, stood the prettiest
and most coquettish little country house
possible to imagine The Villa Montalais, as
It va. called, had been bought few years
previous by NJ. Roger Laroque, well known
mechanical engineer, whose workshops were
situated in st. Maur street, and who had, be-
sides, ali apartment on the Boulevard Males
Lerbes, at No. H.
In the winter he inhabited his apartments,
and in summer be took refuge, with his wife
mud daughter, at Vile d'Avray, but every
morning his business called him to Paris. to
his shops in st. Maur street, and there he
lrenkfasted, but returned in the evening at
about z o'clock to dinner, q habit OF life
quito ordinary with Parisians who, during the
summer, divide their existence in two parts,
the day for Paris, the night for the country.
On the evening which affords the COM
mencement OF our story, in July, 1872, at
o'clock, quite at variance with his usual
habit, Roger Laroque had not yet returned.
Tho dinner was waiting. In tho parlor,
where two windows opened out upon the ter
race, and in the dining room there was no
one to be seen, and one would have declared
the house uninhabited, SO calm and quiet il
Geemed in the midst Of the silencoof the fad
ing light
Still, at the left of the parlor, two voice.
u. ~. t..A u. .
roque's sleeping apartment, even still deeper
plunged in the fast coming darkness. No
light burned, neither lamp nor candle. Two
voices, one superb, grave and sweet, of such
timbre as would cas- Sc you to love the speaker
without even seeiIg her, and tho other, in
fantine and crystal in its childish music.
They we're the voices Of Nine. Henrietta La
rogue and her little daughter, Suzanne. Nine.
Jnroque drew an easy chair near the window,
which was partly open, ard seated herself
there, drawing Suzanne close to her.
This evening they awaited the coming OF
Iaroque with impatience, and the very cot
tnsr, with its PROPULSION Of flowers and festal
appearance, seemed to be surprised at this
silence md solitude 1t was Suzanne's seventh
birthday. and she was the only shild, little
spoiled by the alteration OF her father, and
now, since the day before, the mother was
trying TO teach her a pretty little speech
which she was to make to her father upon his
return. They were pretty little words Of
welcome and grateful love, and SO they sat
hero in the darkness whispering them over
and over again, that they might not DO for
gotten.
The half hour past struck, and Henrietta
fnade N gesture of slrDrisa
"Your father will not dine Mt homo this
evening. Come" said she; II do not wish you
u wait any longer"
They went into the dining room. Nine.
Iaroque rang and ordered that dinner be
served. There were at tho villa but three
scrvants-a coachman. cook, and maid
whose name was Victoria and who had been
but two days in her service. The dinner was
silent one, for in spite Of herself vague
sentiment Of fear oppressed the heart Of the
young wife. Two or three times before
Roger had been retarded, but he had always
toleYaphed-
This evening, no news. Whyl They re-
turned TO the bedroom Another hour
dragged by. Roger did not come. Henrietto
"a. distracted by the window, crouched in the
deep recesses Of the easy chair. Victoria
wanted to bring lights, but she opposed. Ten
o'clock
"Are you asleep, darlingln asked Henrietta,
HNo, mamma answered the child, whose
eyes were wide open.
Don't you want to 60 to bedr
SOh, no; l want 10 wait and kiss papa
when he comes
Henrietta, prey to anxiety, stepped out
Oh the balcony and leaned upon the rail, look.
ing downward towards tho road which Roger,
coming from the cars, hnbitually took
Suzanne, standing beside her, looked also
The night was very warm, without a cloud
Tho Villa Montalais was separated from tho
Vile d'Avray by gardens and trees Oppo
site II, In the chestnut grove, little TO the
left, was a neat little house, with green
blinds, which stood directly on the street,
while the villa, on the contrary, was separated
from tho street by a lawn, constantly re-
freshed by a little fountain. This cottage was
lighted, and the open windows showed room
furnished with mahogany, having table IN
the middle und at the back sort Of socre.
tary desk, pushed up against the wall AT
this instant II o'clock sounded, and Henriette
felt cold shiver Of apprehension run over
her, and she interlaced her hands with fear.
At this instant a man Of medium height
passed through the lighted room and seated
himself at the secretary, which he opened.
They could see him distinctly, and Hcnrietto
and Suzanne looked at him. 1t was the oc.
cupant Of that cottage, and his namo was
Laronette.
"our new neghbor has returned, ;" said the
little girl.
The mnn had taken from his coat pocket
book and had emptied and spread out before
! linn nn immense sum Of money In bank notes
mud rolls Of gold pieces, apparently fortune,
which he began to arrange methodically,
counting and recounting with visible pleasure.
lIenriette and Suzanne saw his profile only,
bis back being burned towards the entrance
TO his room. They heard the first quarter ring
on tho church clock.
: Henrietta bent over her child and kissed
her forehead
II win call Victoria TO undres you and put
you IN bed, said she.
ooh, mamma, ono minute more Paps
cannot DO much longer"
"No, dear, II Is very late. You will b
tired"
And the young mother stepped aside and
touched the ball. Victoria nos answering ri
once, she rang again and returned to tho
llnlnOny. The moon shone pure in q serene
sky Opposite, the neighbor with slow nnd
movement and avaricious enjoy
nent, counted his gold and notes. Victoria
,ame In.
slight a lamp and the night light" salt
Ionriette, land then come and take Suzanne
At the same Instant the little girl leanot
YER the balcony claPplng her hands, laugh